Q. Now that summer is here, I know I should clean the outside of my windows, but I'm dreading it. Are there any tips to make the job easier?

A. Cleaning your windows might seem like a hassle, but it doesn't have to be. The easiest way to get the job done is to use an outdoor window cleaning product that hooks up directly to your garden hose and sprays your windows clean -- no squeegee, no ladder.

But it can be fun -- and almost as simple -- to use the squeegee method. Find a squeegee with a long sponge on one side and an extension rod that will allow it to reach high spots, and pour some of your favorite window cleaning product in a bucket. Then, dip the squeegee into the bucket and follow this pattern:

1. Rub the sponge over the entire surface of the window. Using the squeegee side, make one horizontal swipe across the top half of the window and wipe the blade off.

2. Follow with three vertical swipes from left to right, moving from top to bottom, wiping the blade after each one.

3. Finally, if you can reach, use a microfiber cloth to catch any remaining drips and prevent streaks.

If you run across any stubborn spots, use a white scrubber sponge to gently rub them away. A mild abrasive cleaner will also get rid of any milky mineral deposits that can cloud glass. Also good to have on hand: a razor scraper. This will take care of hardened bird droppings or paint. Just wet the spot first and slide the scraper under it from the side to dislodge it. Your windows should be sparkling in no time.

Jeff Bredenberg is the author of How to Cheat at Cleaning: Time-Slashing Techniques to Cut Corners and Restore Your Sanity.

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